Family: Rosaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 475 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Prunus
Vegetable: False
Observations: Europe to C. Asia and Iran, NW. Africa
Description
The Sloe, scientifically known as Prunus spinosa, is a deciduous shrub prevalent across a wide geographical range, including Europe, Central Asia, Iran, and Northwestern Africa. This plant falls under the Rosaceae family, making it a relative of familiar fruit-bearing trees like cherries, plums, and almonds.
Prunus spinosa was first described in the seminal botanical work “Species Plantarum,” authored by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1753. This influential text laid the groundwork for modern botanical nomenclature, and Linnaeus’s classification system remains a cornerstone of plant taxonomy.
The Sloe plant is typically recognized by its spiny branches and dense, bushy growth, which can form formidable thickets in the wild. It often reaches heights of 6 to 13 feet (2 to 4 meters), depending on the growing conditions. The shrub is adorned with small, serrated leaves and in the spring, it bursts into a profusion of white flowers. These blossoms are not only visually striking but also serve as an essential source of nectar for pollinators such as bees.
As the flowering season comes to an end, the plant begins to bear its distinctive fruit. The berries are small, dark purplish-black drupes, commonly known as sloes. While these fruits are quite tart when eaten raw, they are highly valued for their use in various culinary applications, including the production of sloe gin, a traditional British liqueur.
Ecologically, Prunus spinosa plays a significant role in its habitat. Its dense growth offers excellent shelter for wildlife, while the flowers attract numerous pollinating insects. The fruit is also a food source for various bird species, which further propagates the plant by spreading its seeds.
In addition to its ecological and culinary uses, Sloe has found a place in traditional medicine. Historically, different parts of the plant, such as the berries, bark, and flowers, have been employed for their purported health benefits. For instance, sloe berries have been used to aid digestion and treat sore throats, while the flowers are sometimes prepared as an herbal tea to relieve constipation.
Overall, Prunus spinosa is a plant of considerable botanical interest and practical value, deeply woven into the cultural and ecological fabric of the regions it inhabits. Its enduring presence from ancient times to modern days highlights its resilience and the multifaceted role it continues to play in human life and the natural world.
Common Names
Eng: blackthorn, sloe, sloe, blackthorn, sloe berry, sloe of europe
Deu: schlehdorn, schlehe, schlehe, schwarzdorn, schwarzdorn, gewöhnliche schlehe
Dan: slåen
Por: abrunheiro
Spa: ciruelo silvestre, endrino, espino negro
Lav: erkšku plume, ērkšķu plūme
Fin: oratuomi
Swe: oratuomi, slån
Ita: prugnolo, spino nero
Fra: prunellier, prunier, épine noire
Nor: slaape-bær, slaaper
Nld: sleedoorn
Nob: slåpetorn
Nno: slåpetorn
Cym: blodau’r draen, draenen ddu, drain duon, eirin berthi, eirin ddu fach, eirin duon bach, eirin duon tag, eirin mân y llwyni gwylltion, eirin sur fach, eirin surion, eirin tagu, eirin y perthi, eirinberth
Gla: droigheann dubh, droighinn dubha, sgitheach dubh, àirneag, àirneagan
En: Sloe, Blackthorn, Sloe, blackthorn, Sloe Berry, Sloe of Europe, Damson, Sloe Tree
Ca: Aranyoner
Zh: Hei ci li
Cs: Trnka obecná, Trnka
Da: Slåen
Nl: Sleedoorn, Zwarte Doorn
Fi: Oratuomi
Fr: Prunellier, Prunier, Épine noire, Belossay, Buisson noir, Créquier, Épinette, Fourdinier, Mère-du-bois, Pelossier, Prunellier commun
De: Schlehdorn, Schlehe, Schwarzdorn, Gewöhnliche Schlehe, Schlehe, Schwarzdorn
Is: Þyrniplóma
It: Prugnolo, Spino nero, P. selvatico, Vegro, Prugno selvatico, Strozzaprete
Lv: Erkšku plume, Ērkšķu plūme
No: Slåpetorn, Slaape-bær, Slaaper
Nb: Slåpetorn
Nn: Slåpetorn
Pt: Abrunheiro
Gd: Droigheann dubh, Droighinn dubha, Sgitheach dubh, Àirneag, Àirneagan
Sk: Trnka obyčajná, Slivka trnková, Trnka
Es: Ciruelo silvestre, Espino negro, Endrino, Ciruelo borde
Sv: Slån, Oratuomi
Cy: Blodau’r Draen, Draenen Ddu, Drain Duon, Eirin Berthi, Eirin Ddu Fach, Eirin Duon Bach, Eirin Duon Tag, Eirin Mân y Llwyni Gwylltion, Eirin Sur Fach, Eirin Surion, Eirin Tagu, Eirin y Perthi, Eirinberth
Synonyms
- Prunus stepposa (Kotov)
- Prunus spinosa chlorocarpa (K.Koch)
- Prunus spinosa f. tardeflorens ((Bertsch) H.Scholz & I.Scholz)
- Prunus kurdica (Fenzl ex Fritsch)
- Prunus spinosa var. ovaliputaminata (Bregadze)
- Prunus spinosa f. sessiliflora (Beck)
- Prunus spinosa subsp. euspinosa (Domin)
- Prunus vulgatior var. stenopetala (Clavaud)
- Prunus spinosa var. inermis ((Tinant) Domin)
- Prunus spinosa f. vulgaris (Wiefel)
- Prunus spinosa var. brachypoda ((Borbás) Borbás)
- Prunus communis oxypyrena (Clavaud)
- Prunus communis depressa (Clavaud)
- Prunus spinosa var. microcarpa (Wallr.)
- Prunus communis rubella (Clavaud)
- Prunus spinosa var. virgata ((Martrin-Donos) Rouy & E.G.Camus)
- Prunus spinosa subsp. coaetanea ((Wimm. & Grab.) R.Knapp)
- Prunus spinosa subsp. fechtneri (Domin)
- Prunus spinosa var. insititioides (Ficalho & Cout.)
- Prunus spinosa var. dostalii (Domin)
- Prunus spinosa var. rhamnoides (Murr)
- Prunus spinosa var. acropyrena (Domin)
- Prunus acacia (Crantz ex Poir.)
- Prunus spinosa var. simulans (Murr)
- Prunus spinosa var. heterochroa (Domin)
- Prunus spinosa subsp. ovoideoglobosa (Domin)
- Prunus insititia var. spinosa ((L.) Weston)
- Prunus spinosa subvar. sessiliflora ((Beck) Asch. & Graebn.)
- Prunus spinosa subsp. cerasina (Hrabětová)
- Prunus spinosa var. longifolia (D.Gut.)
- Prunus spinosa var. genuina (Rouy & E.G.Camus)
- Prunus spinosa f. ovalidrupacea (Bregadze)
- Prunus spinosa subvar. euvirgata (Domin)
- Prunus spinosa var. subcylindrica ((A.Sav.) Domin)
- Prunus spinosa var. brachypetala (Domin)
- Prunus communis coronata (Clavaud)
- Prunus spinosa f. microcarpa ((Wallr.) Buia)
- Prunus spinosa var. sterilis (Lavallée)
- Prunus spinosa subvar. alba (Domin)
- Prunus spinosa var. typica (C.K.Schneid.)
- Prunus spinosa florepleno (K.Koch)
- Prunus spinosa var. dulcescens (H.L.Werneck)
- Prunus spinosa var. parviflora ((Paill.) Domin)
- Prunus spinosa var. major ((Posp.) Domin)
- Prunus spinosa var. pubescens (Ficalho & Cout.)
- Prunus spinosa var. ovata (Ser.)
- Prunus spinosa f. brachypoda ((Borbás) Soó)
- Prunus acacia-germanica (Crantz)
- Prunus spinosa subvar. moldavica ((Kotov) Vitk.)
- Prunus spinosa f. erythrocalyx ((Clavaud) Domin)
- Prunus spinosa f. plena ((Weston) C.K.Schneid.)
- Prunus spinosa var. serotina (Weihe ex Lej. & Courtois)
- Prunus spinosa var. balearica (Willk.)
- Prunus spinosa subvar. platyphylla ((Gand.) Asch. & Graebn.)
- Prunus spinosa subsp. megalocarpa (Domin)
- Prunus spinosa subvar. coronata ((Clavaud) Rouy & E.G.Camus)
- Prunus communis latiflora (Clavaud)
- Rhamnus saxatilis var. inermis ((Lange) Willk.)
- Prunus spinosa frutescens (Dierb.)
- Prunus spinosa var. depressa ((Clavaud) Domin)
- Prunus spinosa var. variegata (Zabel)
- Prunus spinosa f. stenopetala ((Ducommun) Domin)
- Prunus spinosa var. oxypirena ((Clavaud) Rouy & E.G.Camus)
- Prunus spinosa var. thessala (Hausskn.)
- Prunus spinosa f. ovata ((Ser.) Rouy & E.G.Camus)
- Prunus spinosa subvar. lucens ((A.Sav.) Domin)
- Prunus spinosa var. clavaudii (Domin)
- Prunus spinosa var. subcinera (Cout.)
- Prunus spinosa genuina (Ducommun)
- Prunus ovata ((Ser.) A.W.Hill)
- Prunus pubescens acuminata (Clavaud)
- Prunus spinosa f. arborescens ((Dierb.) Domin)
- Prunus spinosa f. serotina (Wiefel)
- Prunus spinosa subsp. szabadosii (Pénzes)
- Prunus spinosa var. hypotricha (Domin)
- Prunus spinosa var. atricha (Domin)
- Prunus densa (Martrin-Donos)
- Rhamnus saxatilis f. inermis (Lange)
- Prunus spinosa var. vulgaris ((Ser.) Domin)
- Prunus spinosa var. foecundissima ((Clavaud) Domin)
- Prunus spinosa subsp. rapaicsii (Pénzes)
- Prunus spinosa subvar. stenopetala ((Manceau) Rouy & E.G.Camus)
- Prunus spinosa var. erythrocalyx ((Clavaud) Rouy & E.G.Camus)
- Prunus spinosa f. oxypyrena ((Clavaud) Domin)
- Prunus spinosa var. latiflora ((Clavaud) Domin)
- Prunus podolica (Andrz.)
- Prunus spinosa f. coaetana ((Wimm. & Grab.) P.D.Sell)
- Prunus spinosa var. cinereo-ovata (Pénzes)
- Prunus communis subvar. ellipsoides (Clavaud)
- Prunus spinosa subvar. major ((Posp.) Asch. & Graebn.)
- Prunus subvillosa (Debeaux)
- Prunus spinosa subsp. insititioides ((Ficalho & Cout.) Franco)
- Prunus spinosa var. eriophora (Hausskn.)
- Prunus glomerata (A.Sav.)
- Prunus spinosa var. oxypyrena ((Clavaud) Rouy & E.G.Camus)
- Prunus spinosa f. rupestris (Wiefel)
- Prunus spinosa subsp. dasyphylla ((Schur) Domin)
- Prunus communis subsp. spinosa ((L.) Syme)
- Prunus spinosa f. marginata (Wiefel)
- Prunus spinosa var. rubella ((Clavaud) Rouy & E.G.Camus)
- Prunus polymorpha spinosa ((L.) Griess.)
- Prunus spinosa var. densa ((Martrin-Donos) Domin)
- Prunus spinosa var. ellipsoides ((Clavaud) Domin)
- Prunus spinosa var. coronata ((Clavaud) Browicz & Ziel.)
- Prunus spinosa f. maritima (Corill., Figureau & Godeau)
- Prunus spinosa var. coaetana (Wimm. & Grab.)
- Prunus spinosa var. lombensis (Nyár.)
- Prunus spinosa f. cinerea ((Clavaud) Domin)
- Prunus domestica var. spinosa ((L.) Kuntze)
- Prunus amygdaliformis (Pau)
- Prunus spinosa f. globosodrupacea (Bregadze)
- Prunus spinosa f. semiglabra (Domin)
- Prunus spinosa var. subinermis (Moris)
- Prunus spinosa var. subcinerea (Cout.)
- Prunus spinosa subvar. stepposa ((Kotov) Vitk.)
- Prunus spinosa arborescens (Dierb.)
- Prunus communis var. spinosa ((L.) Hook. & Arn.)
- Prunus spinosa subvar. platypetala (Rouy & E.G.Camus)
- Prunus communis lucida (Clavaud)
- Prunus communis subvar. cinerea (Clavaud)
- Prunus vinariensis (Hausskn. ex C.K.Schneid.)
- Prunus spinosa var. lamottei ((A.Sav.) Domin)
- Prunus spinosa f. variegata (Zabel ex C.K.Schneid.)
- Prunus spinosa f. purpurea ((André) C.K.Schneid.)
- Prunus spinosa var. cinerea ((Clavaud) Rouy & E.G.Camus)
- Prunus communis foecundissima (Clavaud)
- Prunus spinosa f. prorepens (Domin)
- Prunus spinosa var. sessiliflora ((Beck) Domin)
- Prunus spinosa var. ericiflora ((A.Sav.) Domin)
- Prunus insititia var. brachypoda (Borbás)
- Prunus spinosa subsp. moravica (Domin)
- Prunus spinosa f. subdasyphylla (Nyár.)
- Prunus spinosa var. rosea ((Kawecki) Browicz & Ziel.)
- Prunus spinosa f. rubella ((Clavaud) Domin)
- Prunus spinosa f. microsphaera (Domin)
- Prunus spinosa var. angustifolia (Wimm. & Grab.)
- Prunus spinosa var. dasyphylla (Schur)
- Prunus spinosa f. parvifolia (Novák)
- Prunus spinosa f. rosea (Kawecki)
- Prunus spinosa var. florepleno (G.Kirchn.)
- Prunus spinosa f. varbossania (K.Malý)
- Prunus spinosa f. kefaliana (Pacz.)
- Prunus spinosa var. xanthocarpa (Domin)
- Prunus erythrocalyx var. rubella (Clavaud)
- Prunus moldavica (Kotov)
- Prunus spinosa f. densiflora (P.D.Sell)
- Druparia spinosa (Clairv.)
- Prunus communis erythrocalyx (Clavaud)
- Prunus communis pubescens (Clavaud)
- Prunus spinosa var. nitidula (Domin)
- Prunus spinosa f. puberula (Medw.)
- Prunus spinosa var. chlorocarpa ((K.Koch) Domin)
- Prunus spinosa var. amygdaliformis ((Pau) Willk.)
- Prunus spinosa var. subglobosoputaminata (Bregadze)
- Prunus communis subinermis (Clavaud)
- Prunus ericiflora (A.Sav.)
- Prunus spinosa f. plano-subgloboso-drupacea (Bregadze)
- Prunus spinosa subvar. genuina ((Posp.) Asch. & Graebn.)
- Prunus curdica (Fenzl ex Fritsch)
- Prunus spinosa var. rugosa (Domin)
- Prunus spinosa f. subepruinosa (Domin)
- Prunus spinosa var. leucocarpa (Bechst. ex Domin)
- Prunus spinosa var. parvifolia ((Novák) Domin)
- Prunus spinosa subsp. cyclopetala ((Borbás) Jáv.)
- Prunus spinosa var. amphitricha (Domin)
- Prunus communis subvar. stenopetala (Clavaud)
- Prunus spinosa subvar. wallrothii (Domin)
- Prunus spinosa florerubro (M.Vilm. & Bois)
- Prunus spinosa var. kefaliana ((Pacz.) Domin)
- Prunus spinosa var. ellipsocarpa (Domin)
- Prunus spinosa f. acuminata ((Clavaud) Domin)
- Prunus spinosa var. coaetanea ((Wimm. & Grab.) Domin)
- Prunus spinosa var. plena (Weston)
- Prunus spinosa f. major (Posp.)
- Prunus spinosa f. genuina ((Ducommun) Domin)
- Prunus spinosa var. praecox ((Wimm. & Grab.) Asch. & Graebn.)
- Prunus spinosa var. purpurea (André)
- Prunus spinosa var. stenopetala (Rouy & E.G.Camus)
Distribution
- Albania (native)
- Algeria (native)
- Austria (native)
- Baleares (native)
- Baltic States (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Belgium (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- Corse (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- Denmark (native)
- East Aegean Is. (native)
- East European Russia (native)
- Finland (native)
- France (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Greece (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Iran (native)
- Ireland (native)
- Italy (native)
- Kazakhstan (native)
- Krym (native)
- Lebanon-Syria (native)
- Morocco (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- Northwest European R (native)
- Norway (native)
- Poland (native)
- Portugal (native)
- Romania (native)
- Sardegna (native)
- Sicilia (native)
- South European Russi (native)
- Spain (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Tunisia (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Turkey-in-Europe (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- British Columbia (introduced)
- Connecticut (introduced)
- Idaho (introduced)
- Maine (introduced)
- Masachusettes (introduced)
- Michigan (introduced)
- New York (introduced)
- Nova Scotia (introduced)
- Ontario (introduced)
- Oregon (introduced)
- Tasmania (introduced)
- Washington (introduced)
Additional Images
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Fruit
Taken Jul 14, 2019 by Delphine Delphine D (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 14, 2020 by Ernst-Dieter Krückels (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 3, 2019 by parramon marta (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 21, 2019 by parramon marta (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 24, 2016 by Hélène Legay (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Mar 4, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 4, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 4, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 4, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 4, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Nov 19, 2020 by Evelyne Charlier (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 27, 2017 by jose (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 19, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 13, 2019 by Cindy Amégah (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 6, 2021 by Jaime (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Jul 30, 2021 by Matthias Foellmer (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 30, 2020 by Stefanie bst (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 2, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 3, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 19, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Jul 28, 2021 by cscoq (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 2, 2020 by Capucine Capucine Chavagnac (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 4, 2020 by Nicolas Koehnlein (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 17, 2021 by padrós toni (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 12, 2022 by Irmgard Groß (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Jul 13, 2022 by Dominik Muczyński (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 21, 2022 by Maryse M (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 5, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 21, 2022 by Maryse M (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 3, 2020 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:730297-1)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3023221)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Prunus spinosa L.)
Specifications
Growth habit: Tree, Shrub
Growth
Ph maximum: 6.5
Ph minimum: 5.5
Light: 7
Atmospheric humidity: 5
Bloom months: [‘apr’]
Soil nutriments: 5